Are you ready for the next crisis? 

Leadership matters, more than ever. Building competency in proactive crisis communications management can prepare you and your leaders for the next crisis.

Amid organizational and societal shifts, leaders who project strength, communicate clearly, and show empathy can earn confidence, reduce risk, and improve brand and personal reputations, even when crisis hits. 

Understanding proactive crisis communications management 

Crisis was once a term reserved for national headline-grabbing events such as oil spills, plane crashes, large corporate scandals, or major economic volatility.  In today’s business environment, what was previously a small issue can now impact a company’s reputation and do lasting damage, sometimes more than any major event. Accounting mistakes, social justice issues, supply chain disruptions, privacy and cybersecurity, geopolitical events and workplace dynamics are just a few issues leaders need to navigate today.  

With so much at risk, more can – and should – be done to prepare. A recent poll of executives who’ve experienced crisis events shows that:* 

• 38% had not foreseen or identified the risk before it occurred. 
• 24% identified the risk but weren’t prepared. 
• 64% of those executives reported the crisis set their company back financially. 
• 35% reported it impacted their ability to retain and recruit talent. 

 Society expects more. They expect strong leadership. Individuals who are credible and trusted. Who can pivot. Be decisive. And communicate quickly and effectively with multiple stakeholders and audiences.  

Key elements of proactive crisis communications and management 

 What we see are five key elements that leaders need to focus on in crisis: 

Vision: Communicating a clear and compelling vision for their organization. Your stakeholders – the public, employees, shareholders – need to know your continued purpose and motivation regardless of the circumstances.  

Agility: Adapting quickly to ever changing circumstances and making decisions based on incomplete or uncertain information and communicating well. 

Empathy: Showing an understanding the lived experience and responding to the needs of their employees, customers, and other stakeholders. Empathy and compassion should be visible in all communication. 

Resilience: Demonstrating they can manage these setbacks and maintain a composed and calm demeanour throughout, while supporting others through transparent and open communication. 

Collaboration: Working quickly to use their networks and work together to find solutions to complex situations. 

 This is where training is crucial for your leaders to manage the next crisis or reputational event.  

Believeco Training Academy 

 The Believeco Training Academy will help you respond in a way that will enhance and protect your reputation and maintain and build trust throughout any crisis. 

We will help you prepare for any situation through:  

• Rigorous simulations  
• Company risk audits 
• Understanding and mapping your stakeholders and issues well 
• Use of data-driven tools focused on protecting, promoting, and evolving your reputation. 
• While doing it with empathy and transparency 

 Reputation capital matters more than ever, and Believeco Training Academy is here to best prepare you and your executives to lead proactive crisis communications management when it counts.    

*Source: https://senateshj.com/campaigns/crisis/